Strategic business consulting for the railway and logistics industry

SCI Verkehr is a medium-sized, sustainability-oriented consultancy focussing on strategic issues in the international rail and logistics business. We support our business partners in optimising their processes and evaluating their assets. We help to analyse markets and develop sustainable and tailor-made strategies for the future. This includes, among other things: Accompanying M&A activities, realising climate targets, optimising the portfolio or existing processes, and opening up new markets and business areas.

Strategic Management Consultancy Examples

Market study freight wagon leasing

Customer: Infrastructure fund

On behalf of a leading investment company, SCI Verkehr compiled a market study of freight wagon leasing in Europe. This study is used as a basis for a business strategy. Besides a market overview, synergy effects and the economic consequences of the German rail freight master plan are presented.

Market entry strategy European rail vehicle component market

Customer: Asian component manufacturer

On behalf of an Asian component manufacturer, SCI Verkehr evaluated the future perspectives of the European metro vehicle component market. Within the scope of this analysis, options for an entry into selected product segments were evaluated as well.

Supporting outsourcing planning

Customer: Luxury foods manufacturer

A leading company in the luxury foods industry is planning to reorganise its distribution process, which it has performed itself with its own sites and vehicles up to now. The company now intends to contract these services to a logistics service provider (outsourcing). SCI Verkehr is checking the concept put together by the customer internally for plausibility and is giving useful advice for the further negotiations with the service provider.

Market Analyses Examples

Analysis world market pantographs

Customer: Component manufacturer

On behalf of a globally active component manufacturer, SCI Verkehr analyses the worldwide market for pantographs (as rolling stock component). For this purpose, market size and development as well as competitive situation are examined in detail.

In-depth analysis of suitability of a site with regard to industry structure

Customer: Company for economic development

SCI Verkehr investigated a former industrial site?s suitability as a logistics site. In order to support the political and planning discussion concerning this site, SCI Verkehr compiled settlement scenarios for the various industries in which ideal types of logistics centres were modelled for the respective industries. The parameters of the models were the size of the plant, lorry transport, car transport and the number of workplaces. In addition, on the basis of the scenarios, constraints in the surrounding transport network were identified and a proposal made for optimising access to the site.

Market overview wheelset maintenance

Customer: Industrial company

On behalf of an industrial company, SCI Verkehr analysed the market for the maintenance of wheelsets, with a focus on wheelsets for freight wagons. Both demand and supply were analysed to identify potentials for the customer. 

Asset Valuations Examples

Analysing the price development of rail vehicles on the asset value

Customer: Financier

On behalf of a financier of rail vehicles, SCI Verkehr is analysing the impact of the rising prices of new vehicles on the asset value of used vehicles. In this context, SCI Verkehr also defines new comparative assets of locomotives, railcars, passenger vehicles and infrastructure vehicles for a valuation according to the cost-based RC valuation approach.

Valuation report of a used DMU fleet

Customer: Transport company

On behalf of a passenger transport operator, SCI Verkehr appraises the current vehicle value and future performance of used DMUs. Appraisal is conducted by means of the cost-based DRC method. Special focus is put on defining realistic scenarios to reuse the fleets. Moreover, technical condition assessment will be carried out by an expert.

Assessment of a vehicle platform by means of DRC and DCF methods

Customer: Financier

On behalf of a financier, SCI Verkehr assesses a new vehicle platform. This is carried out by means of the cost-based DRC method as well as based on the income-based DCF calculation. Besides technical features, possible applications of the vehicles are assessed.

Public Consulting Examples

Profitability audit vehicle procurement

Customer: Transport authority

SCI Verkehr evaluated the economic feasibility of the selected bids for a transport authority in the context of a procurement of new urban transport vehicles. To this end, SCI Verkehr evaluated the tender documents and carried out a price benchmark to determine market prices for metro vehicles and e-buses.

Evaluation of an annual business survey of the logistics industry in Hamburg

Customer: Logistik Initiative Hamburg e.V.

SCI produces an annual evaluation of data on the general economic situation of companies in the logistics sector in Hamburg. The data is compared with the SCI LOGISTIKBAROMETER and thus placed in a nationwide context. Members´ assessments of the work of the commissioning initiative are also surveyed.

Profitability Analyses Examples

VDD in the intermodal transport segment

Customer: Railway undertaking company

SCI Verkehr has supported a rail undertaking in the intermodal transport segment at a VDD process. SCI Verkehr has prepared documents for the data room regarding market definition, size and development, including forecast and drivers of the market. Thereby it considered also regulations, innovations and competition. SCI Verkehr has analysed the business model of the client and prepared basic information such as KPI that were relevant for the process.

Due diligence on an investment in alternative propulsion systems for rail vehicles

Customer: Strategic investor

SCI Verkehr supports an investor in the preparation of a CDD on an investment opportunity in an alternative propulsion technology for rail vehicles. Specific target markets are analysed, procurement criteria of the end customers are evaluated and the business plan is assessed and adapted together with the client.

Cash flow model for a leasing company

Customer: Financial institution

SCI Verkehr developed a cash flow model for a financial institution for a European leasing company. The model calculates the companys expected profits until 2030 under market-realistic assumptions. It also calculates ratios such as loan-to-value and debt service coverage ratio based on a valuation of the fleet.

Process optimisations Examples

Process and organizational consulting in IT

Customer:

A global player in the beverage industry is planning to restructure its IT and support departments and subsequently establish them in Europe. SCI Verkehr was commissioned to review and further develop this strategy, and to accompany the negotiations with the employee representatives.

Reorganisation of system transport business processes

Customer: Shipping/Logistics company

Analysis of the daily operational processes in trans-shipping facilities and in administrative areas. Direct support in the implementation of suggestions for improvement of daily operations.

Preparation of a bid for commuter rail transport in northern Germany

Customer: Railway company

SCI Verkehr supported the railway company in the strategic and operational preparation of a bid for transport services in northern Germany. The objective was to submit an attractive, innovative and reasonably priced bid for rail services. SCI Verkehr performed the conceptual and technical planning, the editorial preparation and operational and organisational support.